Twinning : St Helier - Bad Wurzach Partnerschaft Committee

The 'Partnerschaft' with Bad Wurzach

History of the twinning

The twinning with Bad Wurzach would never have happened had
officials of the Third Reich chosen a different town in which to
intern English-born people from Jersey in 1942. Despite the
hardship of internment, the local people in this small town in
southern Germany treated the islanders well and rejoiced with them
when the town was liberated. After the war links were gradually
established and friendships established, but an early attempt to
make a twinning was abandoned in 1973. Procureur Sid Proudley
proposed the idea at a Parish Assembly and it was seconded by the
late Michael Gabb, a former internee; however after some opposition
from the floor the matter was withdrawn. Nearly twenty years later
in the Pomme d'Or Hotel the present Constable of St Helier met the
then Mayor of Bad Wurzach who had been invited to the Liberation
Day service by the Bailiff, and the twinning became a reality,
seconded, once more, by Mr Gabb, in 2002.

Recent developments

Members of the St Helier - Bad Wurzach Partnerschaft organised a
visit to our German twin town to mark the 70th anniversary of the
internment of over 650 British-born Jersey people during the
Occupation, and the tenth anniversary of the twinning. The Bailiff,
Sir Michael Birt and his wife Joan, along with the Chief Minister,
Ian Gorst, accompanied the group. Deputy Rod Bryans represented the
Parish and took some excellent photographs which can be viewed
online at www.parishpics.blogspot.com.
Deputy Bryans said: 'St Helier's twinning with Bad Wurzach was a
simple act of reconciliation that has had a profound effect on both
towns. Anyone that now finds themselves in the town will be royally
treated.'